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All Health Information Management (HIM) professional classes are taught primarily
during the day and at the Cocoa Campus. Please be sure to check the current college
schedule for specific days and times. General Education courses (those courses without
an HIM prefix) are offered at varied times (days, nights and weekends) at most campus
locations. Several courses are taught online. The program is available on a full-
or part-time basis.

Please read the information below to find out more on how our program can help you
meet your academic and career goals. We're here to help you succeed.

Program Overview

Coder/Biller Program Description

Quality information is critical to quality care by physicians, nurses, and other health
professionals. Health Information Management professionals (medical coder/billers)
perform data collection and analysis, as well as coding of medical diagnoses and procedures,
while protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.

Health Information Management is at the hub of the healthcare system. If a career
combining medicine and information technology appeals to you, our program is proven
training ground for success.

Insurance processing and coding functions are performed by specialists employed in
health care settings. Health Insurance (or Health Information) specialists assign
and report ICD, CPT and HCPCS codes on insurance claims for diagnoses and procedures/services
provided to patients in a variety of health care environments. This coding and billing
program offers individuals the opportunity to pursue business-related career that
is an essential part of the health care industry.

Students enrolled in this program must complete 34 credits and earn grades of "C"
or higher in all courses. The program can be completed on a full-time basis during
three semesters of study. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are
eligible to write the following certification examinations.

Certified Coding Associate (CCA), which is offered by AHIMA and requires applicants
to have a high school diploma. For more information, visit www.AHIMA.org

Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A) and the Certified Professional Coder-Hospital-Apprentice
(CPC-H-A), both offered by the AAPC, which recommends that applicants have six months
of experience in a health care setting applying ICD and CPT coding conventions and
guidelines. For more information, visit www.aapc.com

Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), which is offered by the National Healthcareers
Association, which requires applicants to have a high school diploma and one year
experience in the field. For more information, visit www.nha2000.com

Occupational Opportunities & Career Paths

1. Coding and billing professionals become employed in a variety of health care settings,
such as:

Acute Care

Ambulatory Care

Behavioral Health

Consulting Firms

Educational Institutions

Integrated Delivery Systems

Long-Term Care

Physician Offices

Product Vendors

2. Health Information Management professionals enjoy a wide range of career opportunities
throughout the vast health care industry, based on individual skills and interests.
Job possibilities exist in any organization that uses health information, ranging
from physician practices and hospitals to insurance companies and law firms. Examples
of these positions include:

Clinical Coding Specialist

Health Data Analyst

Insurance Claims Analyst

Records Technician

Physician Practice Manager

Patient Information Coordinator

Medical Coder/Biller

Professional Practice Experience (HIM 1800)

Students are required to complete 240-hour non-paid professional practice experience
in coding, billing and/or insurance departments of a health care facility. Practice
arrangements are made by the Program Director. Students are required to earn a grade
of "C" or higher in each course prior to placement. Students must also earn a final
grade of "C" or higher in the professional practice course in order to graduate the
program.

Recommended Skills & Job Demands

1. Typing/keyboarding at a speed of 50 wpm is recommended.

2. As a student in our Medical Coder/Biller Program, and later as a professional working
in the field, a number of tasks, skills and personal qualities will be vital to your
success. If you're "cut out for the job", you'll need to:

Work on computers for a significant part of a workday

Work with detailed facts requiring a keen ability to concentrate

Follow rules and regulations

Protect patient confidentiality and privacy

Technical/Physical Skills Requirements

To satisfactorily complete the curriculum and to develop the skills required of an
entry level health information professional, the student must demonstrate: